You and I, we just weren't created to survive (joshler) (not edited)

Chapter eight - calling

"From the day that I met you I stopped feeling afraid, in your arms I feel safe."

They don't talk about Josh's eating habits after that - Tyler felt like he was fighting a losing battle as not only does he not know to help, he doesn't even know how to approach the subject without possibly hurting Josh and causing his own anxiety to flare up.

They talk about random subjects that aren't really related at all, and by the time is becomes 8pm Tyler's stomach is growling. He doesn't really know how to bring up this topic without seeming rude and needy so instead decided to leave, but his phone starts ringing too loudly just before he makes his move, so, he pauses bringing the conversation to an end to answer.

"H-hello." Tyler's voice is shaky and Josh doesn't know why so stays quiet, listening intently to try and not disturb Tyler as well as possibly hear some of the conversation (he's both nosy and worried).

Josh can't hear most of the conversation, as the person on the other end begins speaking in a harsh whisper - as if the words themselves were an unheard secret. They are certainly a secret the boyfriend doesn't want anyone to know but Tyler. However, the secret isn't exactly uncommon within the community of people with marker pen black dots on their palm.

He fidgets with his hands, casting worried glances toward Tyler, who's voice is gradually getting shakier the longer the conversation goes on. Then the persons on the line starts shouting, screaming so loud even Josh almost jumps, looking down at his lap as he doesn't really want to see Tyler's reaction and really feels so very intrusive.

The conversation ends, and he looks up to see a shaky Tyler with heavy tears streaming down his face and words on the tip of his tongue he doesn't want to speak.

"Are you okay?" Josh blurts out. His eyes dart away from Tyler's face, away from the watercolour bruises and the tears that show how the boy clearly isn't okay and how stupid the question is.

"Yeah... uh, that was my boyfriend..." his voice, that was barely above a whisper, trails off as he everts his gaze. There's a pang in Josh's chest the blue haired boy chooses to ignore as Tyler continues. "Could I possibly..." he swallows the lump in his throat, " do you mind if I..." he trails off again. "I-I don't want to go home." Finally the words are forced out and he breaks down again. Josh sits there uncomfortably, eventually deciding to comfort his crying friend and awkwardly holds out his arms, letting Tyler fall into the warm embrace.

"You can stay here tonight." It's almost phrased like a question and just floats in the air, being left verbally unanswered although internally they both know he's grateful.

481 words